Gabon in 1996

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In May 1996 opposition parties and the government finally reached agreement over the long-disputed timing of municipal and legislative elections. This followed a ruling by the Constitutional Court upholding the opposition’s position that local elections should precede those for the National Assembly, as stated in the constitution.

Initially scheduled for September 22, the local elections were postponed until October 20 following protests that more time was needed to prepare fully for the campaign. The government also conceded that the revised electoral rolls were not yet complete.

In the first round of the elections for the National Assembly on December 15, Pres. Omar Bongo’s Gabonese Democratic Party won 47 of the 55 seats. Opposition parties criticized the government for delays in issuing voter cards and displaying electoral lists. Nancy Ellen Lawler